Rottweiler Puppy Training

Here is a short rundown of the obedience commands. If you attend puppy classes or obedience-training classes, you will have professional help in learning these commands. However, you and your dog can learn these very basic exercises on your own at home.

Sit Command
This is the exercise with which you should begin. Place your dog on your left side as you are standing and firmly say "Sit." As you say this, run your hand down your dog's back and gently guide him into a sitting position. Praise him hold him in this position for a few minutes. Release your hand, praise him again and give him a treat. Repeat this several times a day, perhaps as many as 10 times. Before long, your puppy will understand what you want. So that all of your obedience lessons start and end on a positive note, use the sit command to begin and end every lesson. 
 
Stay Command
Teach your dog to stay in a seated position until you call him. Have your dog sit and, as you say stay, place your hand in front of his nose and take a step or two away from him no more at the beginning. After ten seconds or so, call your dog. If he gets up before the end of the command, have him sit again and repeat the stay command. When he stays until called (remembering to start with a very short period of time), praise him and give him a treat. As he learns this command, increase the space that you move away from your dog as well as the length of time that he stays.

The stay command can be used in any position and can be practiced after the sit exercise or the down exercise. Likewise, show-dog trainers use the command to keep the dog in a standing (or stacked) position, as this is required for the show ring.

Heel Exercise
Have your dog on your left side, with his leash on, and teach him to walk with you. If your puppy lunges forward, give the leash a quick snap and say a firm "No." Then continue to walk your dog, praising him as he walks nicely by your side. Again, if he lunges, snap his leash and say "No." Your dog will quickly learn that it is easier and more pleasant to walk by your side. Never allow him to lunge at someone passing by you.

You must teach your Rottweiler to heel when he is still young (and lighter). You will find it very difficult (if not impossible) to walk an untrained Rottweiler around your block (no less around the ring at a dog show). Heeling is an essential exercise for pet dogs and show dogs, and all Rottweilers must be trained to obey this most simple of exercises.

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